all the growing pains of the Space Force, the various tasks that need to be done, were apparently things that the Air Force was not doing when they were in charge of this domain.

Let's try to keep the committee focused on these important issues, and hopefully we can have improved space acquisition.

Well, it sounds like, in plain English, our first choice is deterrence by denial, and then, if we can't get that, then we impose cost.

I am hopeful that the Department will use this opportunity to accelerate and improve space acquisition within the Space Force.

Certainly, modern warfare reaches many domains, and it will certainly always include space, I guess.

I know space isn't sometimes easy to understand or to explain, but it is absolutely vital to our national security.

The hearing will come to order.

I urge the subcommittee to consider what I call the first principles behind the paperwork.

I thank the gentleman.

I personally would love to see them under budget, but it is even more important that they be working systems.

I am hopeful that the Space Force will get it done on a more timely basis because I don't want the spacefaring nations to turn to other nations for their clear guidance.

I commend the Biden administration for pledging to continue ongoing plans to return Americans to the Moon...

In the long run, the peaceful exploration of space can be one of the most significant and unifying projects...

I would like to start by thanking my colleagues, Representative Castro, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Social Impact, as well as his ranking…

Russia has undertaken the exotics with Skyfall, the nuclear-powered cruise missile that is supposed to orbit the Earth.

I am apprehensive that, if we are not careful, we will make an irreversible decision that will leave the Nation without the capabilities it needs to defend itself and to execute its preferred strategies 5 to 10 years from now, which we…

Your testimony of validating the threat, the diminishing nature of our deterrent, and the critical aspect of our pursuing modernization is going to be very important today.

As we enter into moving forward with the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act], it is going to be incredibly important for your testimony today to help us lay a foundation for the work that is necessary in funding the modernization of…

We have allowed our nuclear deterrent to atrophy.

I will dispense with an opening statement, but let me just record my worry about the personnel impacts of moving the headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama.

China is more than doubling, according to reports, their nuclear inventory.

I think that holiday is over.

I agree that nuclear deterrence is the department's highest priority mission.

It is time for us to stop discussing what we should do next and go do it.

I want to thank all the members of the subcommittee.